Bhubaneswar, Sept 26: The Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare department yesterday said that paddy procurement will start from October 1 as the State Government is yet to finalize food and procurement policy. The department announced this decision after consultation with farmer representatives heading from all 30 districts here. Minister of State for Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, Sanjay Dasbarma sought their cooperation for smooth operation of paddy procurement.
He said steps have been taken well in advance to ensure that problems encountered during paddy procurement last year are not repeated this time. Issues including extension of time for online registration of farmers, time payment to farmers, revision of paddy production limit both in irrigation and non-irrigated land, infrastructure development of mandis (market yards), Aadhar seeding and procurement of paddy from share croppers were also discussed in the meeting. Further on, it is finalized that three meetings will be held at the RDC (Revenue Divisional Commissioner) level to ensure smooth procurement of paddy. Principal Secretary of the department Pradipta Mohapatra informed the farmers about various steps taken by the government to mitigate the problems faced by the farmers during paddy procurement.
Unfortunately the department has not been able to issue operational guidelines for paddy procurement as the food and procurement policy for 2016-17 Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) is not finalized. The proposed paddy procurement policy for the ensuing KMS beginning from October 1 is under active consideration of the state government. According to official sources, after government approves of it, the same will be sent to the State Cabinet.
